Conservatives win Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayor election as Lib Dems also triumph
The results of the local elections have been confirmed
Last updated 2nd May 2025
While the Conservatives have taken hold of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayoralty, the Liberal Democrats also triumphed in the local elections.
Paul Bristow won the mayoral election with 60,243 votes, ahead of runner-up Ryan Coogan of Reform UK (49,647), while Labour's Anna Smith came third (42,671).
Lib Dem candidate Lorna Dupre finished fourth (41,611), while Bob Ensch of the Green Party claimed 18,255 votes.
But in the county council vote, the Lib Dems have won a majority of 31 seats on the authority, which had been under no overall control.
Reform and the Conservatives won 10 seats each, while Labour has five, Greens three and Independents two.
There was a 33.1% turnout in this year's mayoral elections, compared to 36.4% in 2021.
The elections come as now former mayor - Labour's Dr Nik Johnson - announced he was not standing for re-election after taking the hotseat four years ago.
"This is a Conservative gain from Labour, and this is a great result for me, the Conservative Party and for the people of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough," Mr Bristow said.
"It gives me a mandate for change.
"I ran a positive campaign, and I'm going to get on and deliver that manifesto; that's what people voted for."
It could be a significant victory in what may be the final council elections before the government's devolution plans for local councils.
What does the mayor do?
The mayor has power over decisions in areas like business, infrastructure and public transport, as well as skills and regeneration.
The role was created in 2017, with James Palmer taking on the mayoralty before Mr Johnson was elected four years later.
In addition, the mayor can also ask the government for more funding for the region to help in these areas.
In February, Mr Johnson confirmed plans to bring in bus franchising - where buses would be run by the Combined Authority - by late 2027.
He also supported plans to continue giving discounted bus fares for under 25s.
What does the county council do?
The county council is responsible for areas such as highways, education, social care and public health.
Councillors from the districts of Fenland, Huntingdonshire, East Cambridgeshire and South Cambridgeshire - as well as Cambridge City Council - are represented on the county council.
Peterborough City Council - like the county council - is a unitary authority, which also serves district council responsibilities.
As well as 61 councillors - who meet with constituents and help make decisions - executives and council officers are responsible for the day-to-day running of the council.